What Share of Taxpayers Would See a Tax Increase or a Tax Decrease Under a Senate Version of the Tax Reform Bill (open access)

What Share of Taxpayers Would See a Tax Increase or a Tax Decrease Under a Senate Version of the Tax Reform Bill

This report provides a brief overview and charts illustrating statistics about who would receive tax cuts, tax increases, or stay the same under the Senate version of the Tax Reform Bill.
Date: December 15, 2017
Creator: Crandall-Hollick, Margot L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federally Supported Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment Programs (open access)

Federally Supported Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment Programs

This report provides background information on the types of water supply and wastewater treatment projects traditionally funded by the federal government and the existing programs to assist communities with water supply and wastewater treatment.
Date: November 28, 2017
Creator: Ramseur, Jonathan L.; Boyd, Eugene; Carter, Nicole T.; Cowan, Tadlock; Stern, Charles V.; Stubbs, Megan et al.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Killing Endangered Species: What's Reasonable Self-Defense? (open access)

Killing Endangered Species: What's Reasonable Self-Defense?

This report discusses the case of "United States v. Wallen" in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; it concerns a man who killed a grizzly bear cub in violation of the Endangered Species Act and claimed self-defense. It outlines the court ruling that the man enjoys a complete defense if he "actually, even if unreasonably, believe[s] his actions were necessary to protect himself or others" and discusses the implications of the decision.
Date: November 29, 2017
Creator: Doyle, Charles
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy LX (R) Amphibious Ship Program: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy LX (R) Amphibious Ship Program: Background and Issues for Congress

This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the LX(R) program, a program to build a new class of amphibious ships for the Navy. The report discusses the requested research and development funds in Navy's proposed FY2018 budget, with the intent of procuring the first LX(R) in FY2020.
Date: November 30, 2017
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Kosovo: Background and U.S. Relations (open access)

Kosovo: Background and U.S. Relations

This report provides a brief overview of Kosovo and its political structure, economy, migration issues, regional relationships, counterterrorism efforts, and relations with the U.S.
Date: November 29, 2017
Creator: Morelli, Vincent L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Taylor Force Act: Palestinian Terrorism-Related Payments and U.S. Aid (open access)

Taylor Force Act: Palestinian Terrorism-Related Payments and U.S. Aid

This report discusses possible legislation (the Taylor Force Act) that would affect U.S. aid payments to the Palestinian Authority. It provides background on the concerns that money might go toward payments to families accused of terrorism by Israel, as well as a discussion of proposed bills.
Date: December 12, 2017
Creator: Zanotti, Jim & Sharp, Jeremy M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Possible U.S. Policy Approaches to North Korea (open access)

Possible U.S. Policy Approaches to North Korea

This report describes President Trump's current policy toward North Korea and possible options for future U.S. policy. Options include diplomatic engagement, international and U.S. sanction increases, military strikes, destabilization of the North Korean government through intelligence activities and popular resentment, enhanced military cooperation with allies, and additional funding for preventing arms trading and related trade with North Korea.
Date: September 4, 2017
Creator: Chanlett-Avery, Emma & Manyin, Mark E.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Public Sector Union Dues: Grappling with Fixed Stars and Stare Decisis (Part 1) (open access)

Public Sector Union Dues: Grappling with Fixed Stars and Stare Decisis (Part 1)

First part of a report discussing the upcoming Supreme Court case of "Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council," concerning whether requiring non-union member employees is constitutional. It provides general background on an earlier case regarding the issue "Abood v. Detroit Board of Education" and the case law leading up to "Janus."
Date: December 4, 2017
Creator: Killion, Victoria L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Social Security Primer (open access)

Social Security Primer

This report provides an overview of Social Security financing and benefits under current law. The report covers a brief history of the program; Social Security financing and the status of the trust funds; how Social Security benefits are computed; the types of Social Security benefits available to workers and their family members; the basic eligibility requirements for each type of benefit; the scheduled increase in the Social Security retirement age; and the federal income taxation of Social Security benefits.
Date: November 30, 2017
Creator: Nuschler, Dawn
System: The UNT Digital Library
The $50 Billion Threshold in the Dodd-Frank Act: Key Findings (open access)

The $50 Billion Threshold in the Dodd-Frank Act: Key Findings

This report provides an overview key findings from the newly issued CRS Report R45036, Bank Systemic Risk Regulation: The $50 Billion Threshold in the Dodd-Frank Act. It includes some background information and a list of bills that may also affect the legislation.
Date: December 14, 2017
Creator: Labonte, Marc & Perkins, David W.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Natural Disasters of 2017: Congressional Considerations Related to FEMA Assistance (open access)

Natural Disasters of 2017: Congressional Considerations Related to FEMA Assistance

This report provides a short overview of issues Congress may consider in its oversight of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) federal assistance during the 2017 hurricane season (e.g., Harvey, Irma, and Maria) and other disasters (e.g., fires in California).
Date: December 6, 2017
Creator: Brown, Jared T.; Horn, Diane P.; Painter, William L. & Reese, Shawn
System: The UNT Digital Library
Presidential Appointments to Full-Time Positions on regulatory and Other Collegial Boards and Commissions, 114th Congress (open access)

Presidential Appointments to Full-Time Positions on regulatory and Other Collegial Boards and Commissions, 114th Congress

This report identifies all nominations submitted to the Senate for full-time positions on 34 boards and commissions during the 114th Congress. Information for each board and commission is presented in profiles and tables, listing full-time positions confirmed by the Senate, pay levels for these positions, incumbents as of the end of the 114th Congress, incumbents' parties (where balance is required), and appointment action within each board or commission. Additional summary information across all 34 boards and commissions appears in an appendix.
Date: November 28, 2017
Creator: Greene, Michael & Nagel, Jared C.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Retirement Benefits for Members of Congress (open access)

Retirement Benefits for Members of Congress

This report outlines the Congressional retirement plans available -- depending on when a Member first started serving and their length of service -- and describes the major parts of the retirement plans and their benefits.
Date: December 5, 2017
Creator: Isaacs, Katelin P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Supplemental Appropriations and the 2017 Hurricane Season (open access)

Supplemental Appropriations and the 2017 Hurricane Season

This report provides tables listing all the bills, departments, and programs which received supplemental funding related to disaster relief after the 2017 hurricane season and wildfires in California.
Date: December 1, 2017
Creator: Painter, William L.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Suing Subway: When Does a Class Action Settlement Benefit Only the Lawyers (open access)

Suing Subway: When Does a Class Action Settlement Benefit Only the Lawyers

This report explores the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit's "Subway" ruling which rejected a proposed settlement of a class-action suit brought against Subway for falsely advertising the length of their sandwiches; the settlement required them to inspect sandwich lengths and pay the plaintiff's attorney fees, but it only benefited the lawyers and not consumers. The report discusses the case's broader significance to class action litigation, tort reform, and consumer rights.
Date: December 12, 2017
Creator: Lewis, Kevin M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Purple Heart: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

The Purple Heart: Background and Issues for Congress

This report examines the history of the Purple Heart award for military service members and changes in eligibility over time. The report also discusses current issues facing Congress -- such as whether traumatic brain injuries or PTSD diagnoses should be grounds for receiving the award, and whether those injured or killed assisting others during terror attacks outside their military duties should be eligible.
Date: December 15, 2017
Creator: Torreon, Barbara Salazar
System: The UNT Digital Library
Senate Committee Hearings: Witness Testimony (open access)

Senate Committee Hearings: Witness Testimony

This report outlines the rules for providing witness testimony at Senate committee hearings.
Date: December 6, 2017
Creator: Heitshusen, Valerie
System: The UNT Digital Library
Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC): Structure and Activities (open access)

Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC): Structure and Activities

This report provides an overview of the The Financial Stability Oversight Council's (FSOC's) structure and analyzes FSOC policy-related issues and legislation.
Date: December 22, 2017
Creator: Stupak, Jeffrey M.
System: The UNT Digital Library
The Federal Tax System for the 2017 Tax Year (open access)

The Federal Tax System for the 2017 Tax Year

This report describes the current federal tax structure and provides some statistics on the tax system as a whole, as of 2017.
Date: December 26, 2017
Creator: Sherlock, Molly F. & Marples, Donald J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Federal Disaster Assistance: The National Flood Insurance Program and Other Federal Disaster Assistance Programs Available to Individuals and Households After a Flood (open access)

Federal Disaster Assistance: The National Flood Insurance Program and Other Federal Disaster Assistance Programs Available to Individuals and Households After a Flood

This report provides an overview of the assistance available to individuals and households following a flood and provides links to more comprehensive guidance on both flood insurance and disaster assistance.
Date: November 28, 2017
Creator: Horn, Diane P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances (open access)

Cuba: U.S. Restrictions on Travel and Remittances

This report examines developments in U.S. policy restricting travel and remittances to Cuba, current permissible travel and remittances, enforcement of the travel restrictions, and debate on lifting the travel restrictions. Appendix A provides a chronology of major actions taken on travel restrictions; Appendix B provides a history of related legislative.
Date: December 4, 2017
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Contested Elections in Honduras (open access)

Contested Elections in Honduras

This report discuses the November 26, 2017 Honduran presidential elections including allegations of irregularity in the voting count and uncertainty over who the election winner is with only 89% of the vote counted as a of November 30th. It provides an overview of implications of the results of the election for the United States and their relations with Honduras.
Date: November 30, 2017
Creator: Meyer, Peter J.
System: The UNT Digital Library
Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress (open access)

Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress

This report presents background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Navy's Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) and Zumwalt (DDG-1000) class destroyer programs. The Navy's proposed FY2018 budget requests funding for the procurement of two DDG-51s, and authority for a new multiyear procurement (MYP) contract covering DDG-51s to be procured in FY2018-FY2022.
Date: November 30, 2017
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
System: The UNT Digital Library
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): Frequently Asked Questions (open access)

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): Frequently Asked Questions

This report answers frequently asked questions about the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program and the recent announcement on September 5, 2017 that the program was being rescinded.
Date: September 6, 2017
Creator: Bruno, Andorra
System: The UNT Digital Library